What I learned from 8 years of running a small business
It’s Everything Everywhere All at Once (to borrow a movie title). Probably my biggest mistake when I started my business was to think that I was doing enough.
And then you realise, to quote Richard Millington, “This isn’t remotely close to the level of work you need to do to attract clients.”
Here’s what I’ve learned about what it really takes to grow a small business:
Attitude – Are you brave enough to stand alone in front of the world? No company or boss to back you up, just you exposed to failure and the fear of being judged.
Curiosity – Are you open to chase ideas that sound crazy at first? If you don’t try new things, you’ll never discover what makes you stand out.
Energy – It’s not just the relentless pace of running a business, but the combination of the grind that keeps a business running as well as the creativity to come up with fresh ideas. Creativity drains more energy than routine tasks, but you need both to stay in business.
Growth mindset – I think entrepreneurs are a bit like sharks; we have to keep moving to survive. Progress comes from constantly learning and moving forward.
Making choices – You’ll be faced with hundreds of things that need to be done every day. Can you choose the ones that will grow your business even if they’re the toughest to do?